Remember turning 18 and feeling so good at being able to go to the pub; you almost wished the security staff would ask to see your driver’s licence.

Almost taunting them to request that you dig your wallet out of your back pocket and flash your ID.

It never happened. They were familiar with you, having already frequented the local for a year or two before reaching the permissible age where you could consume a middy legally.

Sauntering up to the bar and ordering your favourite frothy, wasn’t nearly as exciting (after the first one) as it was coaxing one out of the bar staff when you were not of legal age. Times have changed and I wasn’t nearly as forgiving of my children when they imbibed before their 18^th birthdays.

What’s this got to do with hub life, you ask?

Well, late on Monday afternoon – approaching nightfall here, because the sun goes nigh-nighs at about 5.30pm – the AFL announced that through the generosity of the Queensland Government, some of the quarantine restrictions had been relaxed.

Things that had been taboo earlier in the day were now acceptable; playing golf or tennis, going for a surf and even dropping a line in the water were given the tick of approval. There were some caveats on those activities re-commencing for players and staff locked away in the Royal Pines Resort, but the opportunity was there.

In a flash there was a notice on a group message service announcing that the tools for such endeavours – golf clubs, racquets and boards (I don’t think anyone brought a fishing rod) – could be recovered from a holding shed.

They had been locked in that shed, albeit said storage unit is a little more elaborate than the back yard version you are likely envisaging in your mind’s eye, since arriving in the hub.

There was an immediate rush, akin to the Myer Boxing Day sale in the city, although social distancing measures were enforced.

Anyway, the choice of weapon was retrieved and players and staff, armed with their favoured clubs or plank were ready to roll this morning.

A couple of the more enthusiastic participants of a game often referred to as a good walk ruined, teed off shortly after sun rise. Royal Pines boasts three nine hole courses and one of them has been reserved for those residing in the hub.

This resort is renowned for the quality of its course and has hosted professional events for both male and female competitors. That excuse, of it being a championship lay-out, is already at back of mind if (when) required when the opportunity presents to swing a club in anger.

Unfortunately, for those who enjoy the thrill of the surf, it wasn’t everything it was cracked up to be. Not only were the players delayed by mandatory screening from club medical staff in the wash up from Saturday night’s hit-out, but they also needed to complete one of their designated COVID tests for the week.

By the time that was all done, there was a stiff southerly kissing the coast and blowing the beach sand around in a frenzy.

As it was some years ago, the joy at being able to collect the board on Monday evening, was a bit better than the actual surfing experience today. But they enjoyed getting wet. Just being out there was fun.

And they know it will get better. They know they will get the opportunity to understand – if they don’t already – why there is such a place as Surfer’s Paradise about 20km down the road from this hub.

In this instance, as opposed to entering the pub legally for the first time, the mental stimulant of just being able to go to Snapper Rocks or Burleigh Heads was as refreshing as hanging 10 or getting tubed.

Finally there are things to do outside of the footy bubble. Things they would do to chill out at home.